Sent

Description

Sent

Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas

Author: Jacob Armstrong, Justin LaRosa, Jorge Acevedo, Lanecia Rouse, Rachel Billups

Become the hands and feet of Christ this Christmas.

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them . . . —John 17:18

God sent Christ at Christmas. In turn, Christ sends us into the world to be his hands and feet, head and heart. Dynamic pastor Jorge Acevedo leads us on a 5-week Advent journey to discover how, where, and why we are sent. Joining him on the journey are four young clergy including Jacob Armstrong, Rachel Billups, Justin LaRosa, and Lanecia Rouse, who challenge us through story, art, and Bible study.

About the Authors

Jacob Armstrong is the founding pastor of Providence Church, a five-year-old United Methodist church plant in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, reaching 1,000 people each week. Providence’s vision is to see those who are disconnected from God and the church to find hope, healing, and wholeness in Jesus Christ. Jacob is passionate about what he calls “Worship Without Walls,” taking God’s love beyond the walls of a building to places of need in the community and world.

Justin LaRosa is a licensed clinical social worker and Deacon who leads the new ministry of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in downtown Tampa, Florida. He served for eight years as the Minister of Discipleship, working with a team of leaders to facilitate the process of organizing, training, empowering, and supporting laypersons. Justin is co-author with James A. Harnish of A Disciple’s Path and A Disciple’s Heart.

Jorge Acevedo is the Lead Pastor at Grace Church, a multi-site United Methodist congregation in Southwest Florida. Jorge led a group of young clergy in the creation of the book and Bible study Sent: Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas and is author of Vital: Churches Changing Communities and the World. He is a contributor to Circuit Rider magazine, Good News magazine, and Our Faith Today.

Lanecia Rouse is the author of numerous articles on Christian formation for Upper Room Ministries and Abingdon Press. She has held pastoral roles in the United Methodist and British Methodist Church, most recently as Project Manager of the Art Project, Houston, a therapeutic art ministry with those experiencing homelessness. Lanecia earned a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and currently lives in Houston, where she continues her ministry as a writer, artist, photographer, and workshop leader.

Rachel Billups serves as the Executive Pastor of Discipleship and as part of the preaching team for Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Rachel is an Ordained Elder within the United Methodist Church and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible/Religion and History from Anderson University and a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School. Before joining the Ginghamsburg team, Rachel served as the lead pastor of Shiloh United Methodist, a multi-site church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Paperback

2015/09

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